Nonlinear Finite-Element Analysis of a Reinforced-Concrete Mark III Containment under Pressure and Gravity Loads (BWR)

摘要

An analysis of a Mark III reactor containment vessel subjected to a uniformly increasing internal pressure and gravity loads is carried out in order to ascertain the load carrying capacity of the structure under hydrogen burn. The analysis is conducted by using a nonlinear finite element model that includes nonlinearities in the strain-displacement relations as well as in the material constitutive equations. In this analysis, the nonlinear behavior of the liner and reinforcement steels is described by a von Mises elastic-plastic model with isotropic hardening. A recently developed elastic-plastic-fracture model that includes both the cracking and crushing limit states is used for the plain concrete. Consistent smearing and de-smearing procedures are then used to represent the composite material properties of the reinforced concrete by an anisotropic and locally homogeneous continuum. Results pertaining to the critical regions of the containment where cracking of the concrete, yielding of the reinforcement bars, and substantial straining of the liner take place are discussed. (ERA citation 08:040842)